David Cameron and the nature of modern politics

The reaction to David Cameron's appearance on Newsnight last night tell us a lot about the nature of modern politics. No one has discussed the content of what he said and argued over whether he presented new solutions to the problems we face.

Instead, his appearance has been discussed in almost theatrical terms as "a performance". Here, for instance, is Iain Dale:

I thought Cameron gave a stormer of a performance - calm, collected, lucid and statesmanlike.

Where there has been discussion of what Cameron said, as opposed to how he looked or sounded, it has concentrated upon how it will be received by his own party. Few have discussed whether he was right on immigration: they have simply talked about how what he said will be received.

Again Iain Dale is interesting on this, and the links he provides in this posting show there has been disagreement over this in the Conservative Party.

Granted, Cameron's manner - like that of his model Tony Blair - rather invites this sort of approach. But the reaction to his appearance does offers some clues as to why British political life is so impoverished.

Later. This is not an appeal for people to consider the ishoos rather than personalities: individual character is of immense importance in politics.

My complaint about the theatrical approach to politics is that it conceals true character. It is impossible to form any clear idea of what David Cameron is really like from his public pronouncements.